Joel M Bradshaw

26For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. 28Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? 30For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.–Hebrews 10

“They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” (1 John 2:19, emphasis)

These verses in Hebrews 10 are terrifying for the hypocrite and saddening for the parents of prodigals. I added the verse from 1 John, because it gives the perspective we need. These are individuals who are defiant and deliberate. They give no fruit of repentance and show no humility.

1. DELIBERATE ABANDONMENT
2. DELIBERATE TRAMPLING
3. DELIBERATE TRIVIALITY
4. DELIBERATE INSULT 

There is hope in humility and repentance. The villain doesn’t have to remain the villain. Own what you can own about your sinful hypocrisy and get biblical help with accountability. Keep praying for your prodigals, parents.–JMB